WHAT TO CONSIDER BEFORE BUYING USED CARS IN CARROLLTON

Purchasing a brand new car is a relatively straightforward business; seeing as how the car is typically in perfect condition with a strong legal warranty. The same cannot be said for most used cars.

So, if you are looking to purchase used cars in carrollton, here are few points you should keep in mind, if you don’t want to end up with a heap of useless metal.

RESEARCH

Before you head out seeking used car dealerships in Carrollton, we advise you to do your research. The first thing you must know is what kind of car you want. Do you want something sleek and fancy, or tough and robust, or if you simply want the most economical car out there?

Whatever criteria you select for yourself, use it to pick the make and model of the car you deem most appropriate. Online forums can help you out in this regard: there is a wide array of individuals and groups on the internet who are well versed in their knowledge about cars.

BUDGET

Set a budget for yourself. We figure the very reason you’re buying a used car instead of a new one is because money is tight. Find out the range of cars that fall within that budget limit and pick the one the suits you best.

However, it is not simply the purchase cost that you must keep in mind. Consider the state of the car you’re buying and calculate the cost of potential repairs, maintenance and fuel consumption. General rule: the older the car is the more maintenance it requires to stay up and running.

Whatever you do, do not overshoot your budget. The dealer may try to smooth talk you into buying a flashy vehicle and it may seem like a good investment at the moment; he or she may even make you believe that if you miss this window of opportunity, you may never get a chance again. Don’t believe a word of it.

There is always a better opportunity out there. All it requires is a little patience and perseverance. Plus the fact that the price of used cars experiences an exponential decay the longer you wait. This puts you in a better bargaining position.

INSPECTION

A thorough examination of the both the interior and the exterior of the car is necessary before you even think about making any sort of exchange.

During your inspection, try to look for signs of accidents. Although the Vehicle History Report will detail such things, it often happens that the previous owners try to cover it up with backdoor repairs that are not officially documented.

Frontal crashes can damage the skeletal frame of the car to a large extent so that even if professional repairs are made, the car is still likely to fall apart. Signs of decay will be clear in such vehicles if you look past the flashy exterior and focus on the weak point, the seams and the joints.

Once you have conducted your own examination, it is time to let a mechanic have a look. If the dealer is opposed to the idea of a mechanic surveying the car, then simply say that the deal is off. You have a right to your ease of mind and a professional can provide that.

Have the mechanic perform a leak test, check all the electronics, the tires, the engine and have him inspect the body for signs of abuse that may not be readily apparent.

If the history report does state the vehicle was involved in an accident, ask about the severity of it and how the repairs were done. If you feel that there is no lasting damage to the overall frame or any important components then you can proceed with the purchase.

TEST DRIVE

Once the mechanic has given you the thumbs up, it is time to ask the seller for a test run. During a test drive, many things become clear which may not have seemed like an issue at first sight but most of all, it gives you an idea of how comfortable you are with the car. Sitting behind the wheel, actually driving the car will tell you exactly if something feels off.

Be on the alert for strange noises, either from the joints of the car or the engine itself. Verify that all the electronics are working properly. Check to see how efficient the car is at taking smooth turns and sharp maneuvers in crowded city lanes and how well it accelerates on a highway.

If you do happen to find something that feels weird, make sure to resolve the issue before you proceed further towards transactions. Don’t let the seller try to discard the notion as merely your imagination or whatnot.

DOCUMENTATION

Once you’re satisfied with the performance of the car, it is time to look at the documents for the vehicle. Make sure everything is in order on the legal front of things. You don’t want to end up with a car that doesn’t have the proper certifications.

It is advised that you buy a car that is registered to Carrollton, so that if there are any issues, you won’t have to travel far to resolve them.

BARGAINING

This is one tool you have at your disposal when it comes to purchasing used cars that you won’t have with brand new cars.

Know that the seller is more desperate to sell than you’re in need of buying. Use this to your advantage. We did say don’t overshoot your budget. But that doesn’t mean you have to spend every last penny on it. Try to reduce the price as much as possible.

If the seller won’t relent, you can always take a few days. Used car prices drop quicker than a boat with a hole and you can be almost certain that nobody else is going to take it off the lot.

A little time will definitely make the seller more amenable to your demands.